Yoshito Okubo

Yoshito Okubo (大久保 嘉人, Ōkubo Yoshito, born 9 June 1982) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a forward. He played for the Japan national team scoring 6 goals in 60 appearances.

Yoshito Okubo

Okubo in 2016
Personal information
Date of birth	(1982-06-09) 9 June 1982
Place of birth	Kanda, Fukuoka, Japan
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Youth career
1998–2000	Kunimi High School
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2001–2006	Cerezo Osaka	87	(39)
2005–2006	→ Mallorca (loan)	39	(5)
2007–2008	Vissel Kobe	62	(25)
2009	VfL Wolfsburg	9	(0)
2009–2012	Vissel Kobe	92	(25)
2013–2016	Kawasaki Frontale	130	(82)
2017	FC Tokyo	28	(8)
2018	Kawasaki Frontale	12	(2)
2018–2019	Júbilo Iwata	37	(4)
2020	Tokyo Verdy	19	(0)
2021	Cerezo Osaka	29	(6)
National team
2004	Japan U23	3	(2)
2003–2014	Japan	60	(6)
Honours Cerezo Osaka Runner-up Emperor's Cup 2001 Runner-up Emperor's Cup 2003 Kawasaki Frontale Winner J1 League 2018 Runner-up Emperor's Cup 2016 Representing Japan Asian Games 2002 Busan Team AFC U-19 Championship 2000 Iran
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 4 December 2021

Biography

Okubo was born in Kanda, Fukuoka on June 9, 1982. After graduating from Kunimi High School, he joined J1 League club Cerezo Osaka in 2001. He played many matches as forward and offensive midfielder from first season. However Cerezo finished at the bottom place in 2001 season and was relegated to J2 League. In 2002 season, he scored 18 goals which was the 2nd top scorer and Cerezo was returned to J1 in a year. From 2003, he scored more than 15 goals in J1. He was also selected "Asian Young Footballer of the Year" award in 2003. In 2005, he moved to Spanish La Liga club Mallorca on loan. Although the club results were bad, Mallorca finished at 17th place and remained La Liga in 2004–05 season. Although he played many matches as substitute forward in 2005–06 season, his opportunity to play decreased from April 2006. In June 2006, he returned to Cerezo Osaka. At then Cerezo won only 1 match in 13 matches and at the bottom place of 18 clubs in 2006 season. Although he played as forward all matches excluding suspension, Cerezo finished at the 17th place and was relegated to J2 again. In 2007, he moved to J1 club Vissel Kobe. He played many matches as left midfielder in 2 seasons under manager Hiroshi Matsuda and scored more than 10 goals both seasons. In January 2009, he moved to Wolfsburg of the Bundesliga. Wolfsburg won the champions 2008–09 season which was first major title in the club history. In June 2009, he returned to Japan and re-joined Vissel Kobe. He played as forward all 19 matches and scored 8 goals in 2009 season. Although his opportunity to play decreased for injuries in 2010, he played as regular player until 2012. However Vissel finished at the 16th place in 2012 season and was relegated to J2 League. In 2013 season, he moved to Kawasaki Frontale. He played more than 30 matches every season and he became a top scorer for 3 years in a row until 2015 season. In 2017, he moved to FC Tokyo. In 2018, he returend to Kawasaki. However he could not as regular player and he mainly played as substitute forward. In June 2018, Okubo moved to Júbilo Iwata. In 2020, he moved to J2 League club Tokyo Verdy. In 2021, he moved to his first club Cerezo Osaka.

On May 31, 2003, Okubo debuted for the Japan national team against South Korea. He played many matches as forward including 2003 Confederations Cup under manager Zico. He was also selected Japan U-23 national team for 2004 Summer Olympics. He played all 3 matches and scored 2 goals. However he could hardly play in the match in senior team from 2004 and he was not selected Japan for 2006 World Cup. From 2008, he played many matches as offensive midfielder under manager Takeshi Okada. In 2010, he was selected Japan for 2010 World Cup. He played as left midfielder in all 4 matches and Japan qualified to the knockout stage. He also played at 2014 World Cup. He played 60 games and scored 6 goals for Japan until 2014.

Statistics

Club statistics			League		Cup		League Cup		Continental		Total
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Japan			League		Emperor's Cup		J.League Cup		Asia		Total
2001	Cerezo Osaka	J1 League	20	2	3	0	1	1	-		24	3
2002		J2 League	29	18	2	1	-		-		31	19
2003		J1 League	24	16	5	4	3	0	-		32	20
2004			22	15	1	0	2	0	-		25	15
Spain			League		Copa del Rey		Copa de la Liga		Europe		Total
2004/05	Mallorca	La Liga	13	3	-		-		-		13	3
2005/06			26	2	1	1	-		-		27	3
Japan			League		Emperor's Cup		J.League Cup		Asia		Total
2006	Cerezo Osaka	J1 League	21	6	0	0	0	0	-		21	6
2007	Vissel Kobe	J1 League	31	14	2	1	5	0	-		38	15
2008			31	11	1	1	-		-		32	12
Germany			League		DFB-Pokal		Premiere Ligapokal		Europe		Total
2008/09	Wolfsburg	Bundesliga	9	0	2	0	-		2	0	13	0
Japan			League		Emperor's Cup		J.League Cup		Asia		Total
2009	Vissel Kobe	J1 League	19	8	1	1	-		-		20	9
2010			17	4	1	1	0	0	-		18	5
2011			30	9	1	0	1	0	-		32	9
2012			26	4	1	0	3	2	-		30	6
2013	Kawasaki Frontale	J1 League	33	26	4	3	8	4	-		45	33
2014			32	18	1	0	4	2	8	1	45	21
2015			32	23	3	2	4	2	-		39	27
2016			33	15	6	5	0	0	-		39	20
2017	FC Tokyo	J1 League	28	8	0	0	2	1	-		30	9
2018	Kawasaki Frontale	J1 League	12	2	0	0	0	0	4	0	16	2
2018	Júbilo Iwata	J1 League	17	3	1	0	0	0	-		18	3
2019			20	1	2	0	0	0	-		22	1
2020	Tokyo Verdy	J2 League	19	0	-		-		-		19	0
2021	Cerezo Osaka	J1 League
Country	Japan		496	203	35	19	33	12	12	1	576	235
	Spain		39	5	1	1	-		-		40	6
	Germany		9	0	2	0	-		2	0	13	0
Total			544	208	38	20	33	12	14	1	629	241

Japan national team
Year	Apps	Goals
2003	14	0
2004	3	0
2005	2	0
2006	0	0
2007	2	2
2008	12	3
2009	9	0
2010	11	0
2011	0	0
2012	1	0
2013	0	0
2014	6	1
Total	60	6

Other websites

• Yoshito Okubo at Soccerway.com
• Yoshito Okubo at WorldFootball.net
• Yoshito Okubo at National-Football-Teams.com
• Yoshito Okubo at BDFutbol
• Yoshito Okubo at kicker (in German)